Photovoltaic utility building

ABSTRACT

A Photovoltaic Utility Building is a structure that is portable to site, permanent power generating system. Multiple adjustable photovoltaic panels including extending panel or panels allow for the additional collection of solar energy on a base. The Photovoltaic Utility Building structure, completely wire with inverter, an A/C disconnect and out put receptacle plug is ready use as it is UL electric certified.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

1. Field

This application relates generally to a self contained solar powered system that employs photovoltaic cells (panels) to product electricity.

2. Prior Art

Solar systems that changes the radiant energy of sunlight into electrical or heat energy are well known. These systems may be either portable (moveable) or roof mounted. Roof mounted systems require extensive on-site work. Moveable systems are usually temporary in nature and used in remote areas as backup to other sources of needed power. Adjustable arrays used to maximize radiant energy are also known.

The solar system as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,261,329 is one such portable structure that produces heat energy, not electricity. A specially designed trailer is needed to transport this structure to site. Another portable unit described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,230,819 shows a system for producing electricity. This system also relies on wind generated electricity. The photovoltaic panels that folded for transportation and extended into final position are adjustable. The system is bulky and not suitable for residential or commercial use. Likewise U.S. Pat. No. 5,969,501, a portable photovoltaic system that incorporates both folding and adjustable panels, is not permanent.

Photovoltaic electrical power systems are generally not easily transported to a desired location and with minimal additional site work the system, produce useable permanent electrical power quickly.

A common source of electrical power is through roof mounted system on residential or commercial structures. These systems are costly and have several drawbacks. The roof installations, mounted on an existing structure, create concerns for the owner. A poorly installed panel system could alter the life expectancy of the roof. If that roof needed to be repaired there would be additional costs associated with the removal of the panels and replacing of the panels.

SUMMARY

This invention comprises a decorative structure that is portable to site, permanent power generating system.

The structure is a lawn Decoration that might also be used for storage as examples are garbage can holder, a planter, wishing well, planter/garbage can holder and settee with canopy. The structure is delivered pre-wired to supply the converted radiant power to AC electric for a building or residence on an existing grid. Made of metal, steel, plastic or other suitable building materials, the invention provides for a substantial life span and appealing looks.

The device will be designed to meet limiting factors to make it affordable as a consumer product and avoid fire risk. The maximum size would be around 1200 watts to limit over heating of 110 volt receptacles. Also would need to be at least 100 watts to produce useable electric power.

DRAWINGS—FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows a possible completed product ready for truck shipment.

FIG. 2 shows one possible plan

-   -   1 solar photovoltaic panels     -   2 wire connecting panels to an inverter and the inverter has         receptacle     -   3 inverter to convert D/C electric to A/C electric

FIG. 3 shows a side view of completed product ready for shipment

FIG. 4 shows an adjustable mount for the solar panels

-   -   10 solar photovoltaic panels     -   23 pivot point bracket allows angle of panel to be adjusted     -   24 hinged pivot point mount     -   25 mounting points several drilled holes to achieve various         panel angles     -   26 mounting bracket, which hold center of panel away from roof     -   27 brackets to be moved along 25 achieve various panel angles     -   28 mounting point allows 26 to pivot or be held erect as needed

DESCRIPTIONS

One embodiment of this solar system structure is as an example in the western hemisphere a planter/garbage can holder. The preassembled and pre-wired structure would be built to meet local and national building codes. The solar panels can be attached to the roof by one of several methods. These methods might be screwed directly to the roof, attached to a fixed mount or attached to an adjustable mount depending on consumer's choice. The micro inverter is connected to the device and wired before shipment to the end consumer in a location to prevent exposure to water. An output receptacle plug is attached to or built into the inverter 12. The structure will be placed so that the panels will face true south and in such a place to eliminate shadows from trees or other objects thus allowing for maximum electric production.

FIGS. 1, 4, and 5 show the panels on the apparatus. The slant of the roof can be adjusted to the specific end use location. It has been determined that the latitude of the location relates to the angle necessary for optimum solar radiant energy.

As in FIG. 5, the rack 21 is raised to the operational position. It is held by supporting brackets 22. The support brackets 22 of the roof rack would be bolted to mounting point in the side of the apparatus.

One possible mount, as in FIG. 6, the brackets 27 which are attached to the hinged pivot point mount 25 would move along mount points to achieve the determined proper angle. It is the mount bracket 26 attached to the pivot point 23 and the mounting point 26 that allows for ease of adjustment.

Operation of the system—FIGS. 1,2,4,5 and 6

Place structure for panels to face true south in northern hemisphere. Leave the A/C micro inverter in off position and attach proper electric cord to A/C receptacle. Now plug extension cord into a 110 a/c receptacle on existing structure and turn on. Run wires per proper electrical code to site building using the apparatus's A/C electric and attach to building power feed per local building codes. The solar panels 10 will feed the D/C power provided to the micro inverter 12. The inverter 12 will covert the D/C power to A/C power and feed the site building when there is proper sunlight

From the description above, a number of advantages of the embodiments of my photovoltaic utility building become evident:

-   -   This lawn decoration is pre constructed with the necessary         components and is capable of converting the radiant energy into         useable A/C electrical energy upon set up on site.     -   As a separate structure it can be positioned for maximum capture         of radiant energy.     -   This structure is relatively low, compared to the roof of a         residence, which would provide access for maintenance of the         photovoltaic panels which would include angle adjustment and/or         cleaning of the panels.     -   This decoration could in addition to producing 110 volt A/C         electric could provide enclosed space would provide for storage         or other use.     -   Also as a separate structure it will provide the electricity         production to be off the residence. Aesthetic appeal, fire         safety or structure safety concerns of the original residence         would not be altered.

Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting in scope of the embodiments but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments. For example, the photovoltaic lawn decoration can be of other materials, plastics, metal, steel or other suitable building materials, use for many purposes including storage. 

1. An independent, self contained solar energy unit comprising a structure having walls and a door through one of the walls and an angled roof, further comprising photovoltaic cells on the roof, including an extendable rack of additional panels, electrical connections which enter from the cells to a converter and then to an A/C disconnect and out put receptacle plug in the interior of the structure for creating electricity, said pre-constructed structure coming fully UL certified, requiring no electrical inspections, can be positioned so that the panels can be oriented to allow maximum solar exposure. 